Transcript Ch. 3 – Surveying the Books of the Bible

Ch. 3 – Surveying the Books
of the Bible
Overview
 Best
Seller
 Formation
 Survey
of Old Testament Books
 Writing
 Survey
of Old Testament
of the New Testament
of New Testament
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into more than 2,000 languages
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American households have 1 Bible
Common Phrases from the
Bible

“Apple of his eye” (Dt 32:10)

“Can a leopard change his spots?” (Jer 13:23)

“Out of the mouths of babes” (Ps 8:2)
Best Seller
 More
we read from Scripture, more we
discover God’s plan for our happiness!
– official list of inspired books of
the Bible. Catholics list 46 OT books & 27
NT books in their canon
 Canon
Formation of Old
Testament
 OT
= 1st part of Bible
 Salvation
 46
History prior to coming of Jesus
books
 Centers
on covenant God entered into
w/Jewish people
Formation of Old
Testament
 Pentateuch
 Historical
 Wisdom
(Torah)
Books
Books
 Prophetic
Books
Formation of Old
Testament

Most books of OT are also part of Jewish Bible, the
Hebrew Scriptures

Hebrew Scriptures divided into 3 categories:



Torah – meaning “Law.” 1st 5 books of Bible (Pentateuch)
Nebiim – meaning “Prophets”
Ketubim – meaning “Writings”
Formation of Old
Testament

1st – oral traditions


Example – patriarchs: the “fathers of faith,” male rulers, elders, or
leaders. Patriarchs are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
Eventually began to write stories down

Started during King Solomon’s reign – 950 BC

1st things written were oral traditions about Israel’s history up to
conquest of Canaan & the stories about creation of world

Writings about early kings followed

Next came writings of prophets & sages

Sages – wise men who taught about the ways of God for a people
struggling to live as community
Formation of Old
Testament

Last of OT books dates to about 1000 BC

Throughout centuries, many unnamed editors were involved


Their job was to collect, combine, add, & improve the texts
Their work resulted in many of OT books being compilations –
work of several writers & editors

This is why some books have many & sometimes confusing repetitions
Old Testament Canon


Canon comes from Hebrew kaneh, a tall read used to measure
something

Word took on meaning of “standard, measure, rule”

Thus, canon of Scripture is standard list of books recognized as genuine
& inspired Holy Scripture
Catholics & Protestants agree on official list of 27 books in NT

Disagree on Canon of OT

Protestants accept only 39 books of OT as inspired

Catholics accept 46
Old Testament Canon

Disagreement began 3rd cent BC when there was growing need to
translate Hebrew Scriptures

Many Jews deported to Babylon during invasion of 586 BC

Most of their descendants didn’t return to Palestine when exile ended

Other Jews fled Palestine in wake of persecutions

Dispersed Jews settled in important cities like Alexandria, Rome,
Athens, Corinth

They spoke Greek & needed the sacred Hebrew Scriptures translated
into Greek
Septuagint

Translation took place in Alexandria, Egypt

Septuagint in Latin means seventy

Refers to a traditional story that 70 scholars were brought from Holy Land
in Palestine to Alexandria to complete the task

By time of Jesus & 1st Christians, Septuagint was most common & popular
translation of the Hebrew Scriptures

Early Church authorities, important Church Fathers, & eventually the
Council of Trent (1547) accepted the Septuagint & all books it contained as
standard for OT portion of Bible
Protestant & Catholic
Bibles

Protestants dropped 7 books from Septuagint

1 &2 Maccabees, Judith, Tobit, Baruch, Sirach, Wisdom of Solomon

Catholic Bible includes these 7

Apocryphal books

Deuterocanonical – Greek term for “second canon.” Refers to books
in OT not found in the Hebrew scriptures
Survey of Old Testament
Books

OT prepares way for coming of Savior, Jesus Christ

Testament means “covenant,” a solemn contract of love between God
& his Chosen People

Every book of Bible underscores God’s love, which comes to its
fullness in our Lord
Pentateuch

Penta in Greek means “five”

1st 5 books of Bible make up Pentateuch:


Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Lay foundation for Christ’s coming
Was thought Moses wrote books of Pentateuch

Scholars believe 4 traditions (sources)

Yahwist, Elohist, Priestly, Deuteronomic
Genesis

Genesis means “beginning”

1st 11 chapters contain stories of prehistory (time before there was writing)


Stories of God’s creation of world, sin of Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel,
Noah & Flood, Tower of Babel
Last chapters relate story of Patriarchs, fathers of the Chosen People


Abraham, Isaac, Esau & Jacob (Israel), Jacob’s 12 sons
Closes w/story of Joseph (1 of Jacob’s sons)
Exodus

Tells how Jacob’s descendants (now named Israelites after him) were enslaved
by Egyptian pharaoh & freed by God at the Exodus (“departure”)

Recounts Israelites’ 40 yrs wandering in desert

Highlight – God’s meeting w/Moses on Mt. Sinai, where he entered
into covenant w/his Chosen People. Gave them the Law, including
Ten Commandments

The Law formed Israel’s identity as God’s Chosen People
Leviticus

Examines specifics of the Law

Theme of holiness in all aspects of life
Numbers

Gets name from two censuses of the Chosen People

Picks up story of the Jews in desert & takes them to border of
Promised Land

Stresses need for Israel to be totally dedicated & committed to God
if it is to succeed as a nation
Deuteronomy

Means “Second Law”

Form = sermons delivered by Moses

Warns of consequences if Chosen People don’t follow the Law &
live up to terms of covenant

At end of book, Israelites are on threshold of Canaan (Promised
Land)

Moses appoints Joshua as successor

Moses dies before entering Promised Land
Historical Books

Deal w/how God remained faithful to covenant & how
Israelites struggled to live its terms

Cover almost 900 years of history (1020 BC – 142 BC)
Joshua

Joshua was a military leader

Led Israelites into Promised Land, conquered it, divided land among
the tribes

Contains pattern of judgment on Israel
 1) Apostasy (abandoning God)
 2) Oppression by Gentiles
 3) Repentance by Israel
 4) Deliverance to freedom
Judges

Military leaders who directed campaigns of various Israelite tribes
versus their neighbors

Basic framework of the book:
 Israel sins by worshipping false gods
 God punishes Israel by allowing an enemy to conquer it
 Israelites cry to God for help
 God sends a judge to deliver Israel from enemy
Ruth

Short story centering on life of 2 women – Naomi & Ruth

Shows how God can work things for the best in midst of suffering

Ruth was foreign heroine who showed fidelity to her Jewish mother-inlaw, Naomi

God rewarded her kindness by giving her a son, Obed (King David’s
grandfather)
1st & 2nd Books of Samuel

Tell of transition from period of judges to coming of the monarchy

Prophet Samuel is key figure

Last of the judges

1st Samuel tells how the people wanted strong leader – king

God let Samuel anoint Saul as king


At 1st, Saul was good leader, then faltered thru disobedience to God


Warned them they would regret request
Samuel then anointed David
2nd Samuel tells of David’s rule
1st & 2nd Books of Kings

Tell story of David’s death & reign of his son Solomon

King Solomon known for his wisdom


Mastermind of construction of Temple in Jerusalem
When Solomon died, kingdom (Jerusalem) split into 2

Northern kingdom of Israel

Southern kingdom of Judah
st
1
&
nd
2
Books of
Chronicles

Retell stories of 1st & 2nd Books of Samuel &
Kings, but from priestly perspective

Emphasize David as founder of worship in
Jerusalem & Solomon as builder of Temple
Ezra & Nehemiah

These were once 1 single book

Same authors as 1st & 2nd Chronicles

Tell story of Chosen People after return from exile in Babylon

Tell details of rebuilding of Temple in Jerusalem & reorganization of
Jewish life

From this time on, Israelites were known as the Jews
Tobit, Judith, & Esther

Written as 3 short novels

Tobit


Recounts how God works in people’s lives in order to further his plans

Shows how God rewards people who remain faithful
Judith


Tells how God cared for Israel, working through brave heroine Judith
Esther

Reveals how God worked thru actions of humans to preserve the Chosen
1st & 2nd Maccabees

Trace history of Jews up to 2nd century BC

Tell how rulers who followed Alexander the Great tried to stamp out
Jewish identity by imposing Hellenistic (Greek) culture

Antiochus Epiphanes - desecrated Jewish Temple

This sacrilege led Judas Maccabee (“hammer”) & his brothers to lead
rebellion against Antiochus

Their efforts led to religious & political freedom for the Jews (shortlived)

Jewish Feast of Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after
Maccabees’ victory
The Wisdom Books

Wisdom literature = an application of how God works in everyday
lives

Offers instruction on right way to live
Job

Tells of struggles of innocent man (Job)

Raises question why bad things happen to good people

Teaches lesson that God’s ways are not our ways
Psalms

Collection of 5 books of poetry or song lyrics

150 Psalms

Many sung in Temple worship

Praise & thank God & ask for help
Proverbs

Lists short sayings (often poetically) of rules for moral living

Educate reader on how to live good life
Ecclesiastes

Title is Greek translation of Hebrew word Qohelelth

“Someone who calls an assembly”

Likely does not refer to a historical person

Qohelelth gives quotes, proverbs, & questions to teach lessons on how
to live
Song of Songs

Poem that celebrates ideal of romantic love between woman & man

Reflection on God’s gift to human beings (love)

Church reads it as allegory of God’s love for Israel & Jesus’ love for
his Bride, the Church
Wisdom

100 years before Jesus

Encourages Jews in Egypt to stay faithful to heritage

Full title – “Wisdom of Solomon”

Author wasn’t Solomon

A Jew living in Egypt
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

Only book of OT whose author is identified

Jesus, Ben (son of) Sira

Recounts wise sayings & maxims

Has also been called Liber Ecclesiasticus (“Church Book”)

B/c it was used by early Church in preparing catechumens
Prophetic Books

Prophet speaks for God

Prophets of OT received direct call from God

Often called in difficult times to challenge or comfort people

Their preachings were recorded by them directly or someone
associated w/them
Themes of Prophets’
Messages

Worship the one, true God

Idolatry

Accept God’s love & mercy

Be just, especially to poor


Call to repentance & justice = major prophetic themes
Know that God will ultimately triumph
Book of Isaiah

Longest & perhaps most important prophetic book

Isaiah 1-39 – “First Isaiah”
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Isaiah 40-55 – “Second Isaiah”
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Corresponds to original Prophet Isaiah
Work of unnamed prophet
Wrote when Jews were captive in Babylonia
Comforted people w/Servant Songs
Isaiah 50-66 – “Third Isaiah”




Unnamed prophet
Wrote after Jews returned from exile
Warned people to be just
Spoke of time when people would finally obey God’s plan – God would create “new
heavens and a new earth” (Is 65:17)
Classifying the Prophets

Either major or minor

Major prophets: four of the latter prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Daniel) whose books in the Old Testament are quite lengthy

Minor prophets: 12 prophets of the OT whose recorded sayings are
much briefer than those of the major prophets

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Major Prophets



Jeremiah

Preached during reigns of last kings of southern kingdom

New covenant written on hearts
Ezekiel

Used symbolic images

Take personal responsibility for actions
Daniel

Used apocalyptic writing to encourage persecuted people

Apocalypse: Greek word for “revelation.” Also refers to type of highly
symbolic literature that contains apparitions about future & Final Judgment
Other Ways to Classify
Prophets


Non-writing Prophets

Appear in the historical books

Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Elisha
Pre-exilic Prophets

Previous to the exile of the Jews to Babylon in about 600 BC

Hosea & Amos – northern kingdom

Jeremiah, Isaiah, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah –
southern kingdom

Prophets of the Exile – Ezekiel, “Second Isaiah”

Post-exilic Prophets – Zechariah, Malachi, “Third Isaiah,” Joel, Baruch
The Writing of the New
Testament

3 Stages

1) Jesus’ own life

2) Years after Jesus’ return to Heaven – Apostles & early disciples orally
preached Good News

3) Writing of the Gospels
Stage 1: The Historical
Jesus (6BC-AD 30/33)

Actual life of Jesus

Childhood, public ministry, crucifixion, Resurrection
Stage 2: Oral Tradition
(AD 30-50)

Early Christians remained pious Jews

Resistance from other Jews caused them to begin preaching to Gentiles
throughout Roman Empire

Preaching took 3 forms:



Kerygma – preaching to unbelievers
 Started to assemble collections of material about Jesus (miracle stories,
parables, Passion narrative)
Didache – “teaching.”
 Further Catechetical instruction – how to live life of Christ
 Catechesis
Liturgy – the worship of the Christians
 Celebration of Eucharist helped shape & preserve
Stage 3: New Testament
Writings (AD 50-ca. 120)

1st written books = letters of St. Paul

4 Gospel accounts – own way of telling story

Mark – Jesus as Suffering Messiah

Matthew – Jesus as Teacher

Luke – Jesus as Savior

John – Jesus as Word of God
Why Oral Preaching
Committed to Writing

1) End of world was not coming as quickly as first thought

2) Distortions to Gospel were occurring

3) More instruction needed
Survey of New Testament
Types of Writing in NT

27 books

Written in Koine (common) Greek (spoken language at time)
Gospels (4)

Gospels = narratives about Jesus public ministry, Passion, Death,
Resurrection, Ascension

Mark

Matthew

Luke

John
Acts of the Apostles

2nd part of Luke’s Gospel

Tells early history of Church


Spread of Gospel from Resurrection to imprisonment of St. Paul
Preaching of St. Peter
Pauline Letters (13)

Letters written by Paul or circulated in his name by his disciples

Also called Epistles

Addressed to local churches or individuals

Arranged in order from longest to shortest

“P” = Paul

“D” = Disciple
Pauline Letters

1st Letter to Thessalonians

Oldest NT writing

Written to church founded by St. Paul

Reminds converts how to live until Christ comes

2nd Thessalonians

Galatians

Paul says Gospel should be preached to Gentiles

Philippians – Paul writes from prison; personal & joyful

1st Corinthians – addresses problems. Instruction on Eucharist &
Resurrection
Pauline Letters

2nd Corinthians – forgiveness & generosity

Romans – longest letter & most advanced theological reflection on Jesus

“Prison Letters”




Letter to Philemon
Colossians
Ephesians – theme of Church as Body of Christ & Bride of Christ
“Pastoral Letters”





Titus
1st & 2nd Timothy
Correspondences between those who shepherd or pastor Christians
Written to individuals, not communities
Advice on Church leadership
Letter to the Hebrews

Most likely sermon or homily

Probably not written by St. Paul

Emphasizes Jesus’ superiority over all creation
Catholic Epistles (7)

Letters intended “for all”

Catholic = “universal”

General advice helpful for all churches

Help understand how Church was founded & formed

Letter of James

1st & 2nd Letters of Peter

Letter of Jude

Letter of John (3)
Revelation (Apocalypse of
John)

Highly symbolic

John tells visions he had of God, Risen Christ, & future

Purpose – encourage Christians undergoing persecution for faith

Uses apocalyptic language